Flags adorned the streets, parades and ceremonies were held across Türkiye on Tuesday on the occasion of Victory Day. Formally known as Victory and Turkish Armed Forces Day, it is the centenary of the resounding defeat of the occupying Greek army at the hands of Turks in the Battle of Dumlupınar in 1922.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other dignitaries started the day by a visit to Anıtkabir, mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding father of the Republic of Türkiye who carried the fledgling country to victory as a military commander during the War of Independence after the Ottoman Empire’s collapse. Erdoğan paid his respects to Atatürk, before visiting State Cemetery, where the commanders of War of Independence are buried. He later hosted an event at the presidential complex to mark the day. Erdoğan was also scheduled to attend a graduation ceremony at a military academy and host descendants and relatives of heroes of the War of Independence, from Atatürk to İsmet İnönü, Fevzi Çakmak and Kazım Karabekir.
Elsewhere, the day was observed by a series of events, from concerts to wreath-laying ceremonies at monuments dedicated to Atatürk and fallen soldiers.
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